Florence Richardson

Overview

All that can presently (May 2025) be gleaned about Florence Richardson from sheet music covers and by Internet searching is that she was presumably an American jazz orchestra leader who has been featured on 4 works published between 1924 and 1931. She also made 6 recordings on the Victor label in 1934.
Quoting from a post card held in the Frank Driggs Collection:
Following an engagement with Arthur Hammerstein, Miss Richardson skyrocketed to fame with the first all girl orchestra. She next starred at the famous Central Park Casino was the rendezvous for New York elite. With its plush background it catered to the cream of society. The soft musical muted violins plus Florence Richardson's beauty became recognized. An anonymous donor presented her with a $10,000 Amati violin. She remained at the Casino for five years, then Eddy Duchin followed.Those who saw the "Eddie Duchin Story" in the movies will remember the background. Florence Richardson next appeared for two seasons at the Hollywood Gardens in Pelham, NY, seating 3000. The management engaged two orchestras. One was Paul Whiteman, the other Florence Richardson and her orchestra, only this time it was a male band. She was presented a silver baton by Whiteman. Later when playing the Paramount Hotel Grill in NYC, Guy Lombardo gave her a gold baton
Her portrait on the left is taken from If I Could Be With You One Hour To-Night (1926) music by Henry Creamer, co-author James Price Johnson, and published by Jerome H. Remick & Co., New York & Detroit, USA.
Surfers are welcome to contribute any further information about this performer.

Websites:
	DAHR: Florence Richardson	List of 6 historic recordings from 1934.

Florence Richardson has at least 1 item(s) at the Amazons which you can order on-line by clicking the item's order icon.

Give Yourself a Pat on the Back
Music by: Raymond Wallace.
Words by: Ralph Butler
Performed by: Florence Richardson

Publisher:	Santly Bros. Inc.
Suppliers:
Printed: 1929.	Sheet Music 5 pages.

	Title (Release Year)	Composer	Performers	Issue


Historic Records
Ole Faithful (1934)	M. Carr	Jerry Lee Florence Richardson	Victor: BS-86466
I Woke Up Too Soon (1934)	D. Franklin	Jerry Lee Florence Richardson	Victor: BS-86465
Waltz Time in Vienna (1934)	F. Grothe	Florence Richardson	Victor: BS-86467
Just a Fair Weather Friend (1934)	J. Mercer	Jerry Lee Florence Richardson	Victor: BS-86462
Blue Moon (1934)	R. Rodgers	Jerry Lee Florence Richardson	Victor: BS-86463
I Thrill When They Mention Your Name (1934)	P. Tinturin	Jerry Lee Florence Richardson	Victor: BS-86464

Works

The peformer is featured on 10 sheet music/recording covers. It does not claim to be complete and represents only the number of items located. Keys: (w&m)

	Title	Composer	Attribution	Items


Counting the Days (1924)	Earl Burtnett	Jess Kirkpatrick (co-author) Harry D. Kerr (words) Florence Richardson (perf.)
Ole Faithful (1934)	Michael Carr(w&m)	Hamilton Kennedy (co-author) Jerry Lee (perf.) Florence Richardson (perf.)
If I Could Be With You One Hour To-Night (1926)	Henry Creamer	James Price Johnson (co-author) Ruth Etting (perf.) Florence Richardson (perf.)
I Woke Up Too Soon (1935)	Dave Franklin	Jerry Lee (perf.) Florence Richardson (perf.)
Out of Nowhere (1931)	John Waldo Green	Edward Heyman (words) Florence Richardson (perf.)
Waltz Time in Vienna (1934)	Franz Grothe	Carol Raven (co-author) Hanns Dekner (co-author) Aloys Melichar (co-author) Florence Richardson (perf.)
Just a Fair Weather Friend (1934)	Johnny Mercer(w&m)	Matty Malneck (co-author) Jerry Lee (perf.) Florence Richardson (perf.)
Blue Moon (1934)	Richard Rodgers	Lorenz Hart (words) Jerry Lee (perf.) Florence Richardson (perf.)
I Thrill When They Mention Your Name (1934)	Peter Tinturin(w&m)	Richard B. Smith (co-author) Tony Sacco (co-author) Jerry Lee (perf.) Florence Richardson (perf.)
Give Yourself a Pat on the Back (1929)	Raymond Wallace	Ralph Butler (words) Florence Richardson (perf.)